EFA takes wait-and-see approach to ASIO changes - Computerworld

"Online civil liberties group Electronic Frontiers Australia will wait until Senator George Brandis unveils his raft of changes to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 before passing judgement on them, but EFA executive officer Jon Lawrence says he is hopeful that the Attorney-General's proposals will not be "too extreme"."



'via Blog this'

Defence Signals Directorate – Overview | Cloud Computing Vocabulary

"DSD Defence Signals Directorate, dsd.gov.au, 2011. ASD has 2 main functions:
* to gather and distribute alien waves intelligence;
* to supply data safeguarding articles and facilities to the Australian Government and its Defence Force."



'via Blog this'

Weapons-Testing Site in Australian Outback Now Open to Mining - WSJ

"The world's largest weapons test range in the remote Australian outback will be opened to mining after the country's parliament agreed on Thursday to laws easing access to an area larger than the U.S. state of Ohio."



'via Blog this'

Australian government to boost spy powers on back of Iraq fears | ZDNet

"On the back of fears over the Australians joining conflicts in Iraq and Syria, Attorney-General George Brandis is set to introduce legislation for new spying powers for Australian's peak intelligence agency."



'via Blog this'

Watchdogs have never checked telcos' email interception plans

 "Australia's top intelligence and security watchdogs have never asked to look at the plans that telephone and internet providers must have in place for intercepting Australians' phone calls and emails at the direction of security and law enforcement agencies."



'via Blog this'

Federal agencies miss mandatory infosec deadline: ANAO | Government NewsGovernment News

At least seven major federal agencies and departments will miss a mandatory security compliance deadline to bolster defences against cyber attacks that is due come into effect on 1st July 2014, according to a new report from the Australian National Audit Office."



'via Blog this'

British watchdog on terrorism urges caution on Australia's security plan

"Britain's watchdog on terrorism laws has urged the Abbott government to reconsider its controversial plan to abolish Australia's own independent monitor on national security legislation."



'via Blog this'

Jihadist fears spark new spook powers • The Register

"Australia's federal government is reportedly about to use Australians travelling to fight with jihadists in Syria as the basis for giving new local powers to ASIO."



'via Blog this'

N. Zealand 'reintegrated' into Five Eyes global spy network after 2-decade absence — RT News

New Zealand was welcomed back to the Five Eyes network after a two-decade absence in 2009, it has been revealed. "



'via Blog this'

Cyber security incidents continue to rise: ASD - Security - News - iTnews.com.au

The Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) arm of the Australian Signals Directorate intelligence agency responded to over a third more security incidents involving government departments last year compared to the year before, according to its 2013 report."



'via Blog this'

Vodafone's Disclosure Report reveals global scale of mobile phone surveillance - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

"The world's second largest mobile phone company, Vodafone, says at least six unnamed governments can use its phone system to monitor customers whenever they want."



'via Blog this'

Tony Abbott ready to send defence forces to Iraq

"Australian defence forces could once again be involved in military action in a ''rapidly deteriorating'' Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has revealed, after his first bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama."



'via Blog this'

Australia: Mending Ties With Indonesia | The Diplomat

"One of Tony Abbott’s key foreign policy slogans during last year’s election was “more Jakarta, less Geneva.” "



'via Blog this'

Tony Abbott issues tough defence of Australian spies ahead of meeting with US President Barack Obama | News.com.au

"AUSTRALIA and our key allies should never apologise for intelligence gathering, Tony Abbott says."



'via Blog this'

Spies and presidents are all ears when Des Ball talks | The Australian

"Building M is the headquarters of Australian Signals Directorate, the most secretive intelligence agency in the country and one he has spent a career watching."



'via Blog this'

Xenophon Vivienne Thom Collaery and East Timor surveillance case | Crikey

Our current system of accountability for intelligence agencies is broken, and hopelessly inadequate for an era of mass surveillance."



'via Blog this'

Mr. Roderick Brazier - Office of National Assessments

"Rod Brazier joined ONA in April 2014 as Deputy Director-General."



'via Blog this'

Demonstrators burn pictures of Australian PM Tony Abbott during a protest against reports that Australian spies tried to tap the phone of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta on November 26, 2013 | View photo - Yahoo News

 "Demonstrators burn pictures of Australian PM Tony Abbott during a protest against reports that Australian spies tried to tap the phone of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta on November 26, 2013"



'via Blog this'

Government wanted greater surveillance of its citizens

"Australia "pleaded" with the US security agency to extend their partnership and subject Australian citizens to greater surveillance, a new book on whistleblower Edward Snowden claims."



'via Blog this'

Govt plans year-end launch for cyber security centre - Security - Technology - News - iTnews.com.au

"The federal government’s long-awaited Australian Cyber Security Centre will be fully operational in late 2014 - almost two years after it was first announced."



'via Blog this'

Prime Minister Tony Abbott to meet Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono | News.com.au

TONY Abbott will try to repair relations with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a surprise stopover on his way to France this week."



'via Blog this'

#OpAustralia, Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) website brought down by Indonesian Hackers | TechWorm

"A few days earlier Techworm had brought the news of #OpAustralia when the Indonesian Hackers took out 170 Australian websites ending with .au domain.  "



'via Blog this'